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Trip overview

Discover magical Lapland in Europe’s northernmost ski resort! Visit Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, check out a reindeer farm run by Sami people, explore the beautiful Arctic landscape and, if you are lucky, see the Northern lights! Try your hand at a variety of Winter sports: snowshoe trekking, cross-country skiing, husky sledding, snowmobile driving, swimming in the Arctic Ocean – and all this at student discount prices! The group will be staying in atmospheric cottages on Kaunispää-fell – a perfect place for spotting the Aurora Borealis!

Customer reviews

Guided activities

TOUR OF THE ARCTIC OCEANfrom 58€ // Full day // Comfortable clothing recommended

A one-day bus tour during which you’ll not only experience breathtaking landscapes, walk on the shores of the Arctic Ocean and even swim in it, but you’ll also meet and learn about the indigenous peoples who’ve lived in this cold and inhospitable region for thousands of years – the Sámi (Lapp) people and the Finnish Kven’s in the fishing village of Bugøynes. You’ll also get the chance to taste traditional fish soup in a local restaurant. The 550-kilometre tour takes around 8 hours. A definite must-do for your bucket list!

Cross-country skiing is a Finnish national sport that is a lot of fun to participate in. Our guides will show you the techniques of skiing and will take you for a tour on the same tracks the professional world famous skiers also come and practice on. After a couple of hours on skis it is time for sauna and ice swimming. Amazing landscapes, new experinces. Feel like a true Finn!

Snowshoe adventurefrom 35€ // 3hrs // Warm clothing Recommended

Snowshoeing is one of our most enjoyable activities. Our guides make sure you conquer even the steepest of hills and enjoy what the National Park has to offer. You get a spectacular chance to both make new life long friendships and challenge your self in picturesque Lappish scenery, something to reminisce even after years. It is not extraordinary to see the Norhern Lights or even wild animals. At the end of the activity you will have the chance to taste a typical Lappish reindeer burger or a veg burger. Remember to bring a cheerfull attitude and clothing that is suitable for having fun in deep snow. Try something new, you will love it!

Reindeer are peaceful and gentle creatures of the north. Seated comfortably with a friend in a reindeer guided sleigh, you are taken on a ride in style. In this activity you are not only going to meet the reindeer but you are also getting an inside view into the lifestyle of the indigenious culture of Lapland, the Sámi people. In the golden days reindeer had a very different meaning to communities than they have today so come and hear about living in Lapland with the reindeers, we welcome you!

The snowmobiles are a convenient mean of transport beyond the Arctic Circle. Locals use them anywhere from going to a grocery store to paying a visit to a friend who lives behind the hill. For the snowmobile safari a driver's licence is required. Each snowmobile is shared between 2 persons, so both can drive about 45 minutes. The route takes you to hidden places out in the wilderness, surrounded by beautiful landscapes. If you are really lucky you might catch the northern lights in this great place! For people who have adventure in their mind!

THE HUSKY SAFARI (5km)from 75€ // 2hrs // Warm clothing Recommended

Alaskan huskies are cheerful and strong dogs who really love to pull the sledge! After a brief instruction lesson the huskies will take you for a tour through the snowy landscapes. The sledges are shared by two people, each will drive for about 5km. After the safari you will enjoy a warm snack and tea in the base camp.

AURORA HUNTING WITH BUS from 80€ // 3hrs // Warm clothing Recommended

This activity can not be booked in advance and may overlap with another activity. Limited spots, please ask your Tour Guide for information!

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is an amazing show put on by Mother Nature and only visible on the edges of the world. On our three-hour minibus tour we will truly be hunting for the best spots to enjoy and photograph this unique light show. Can be only requested on the spot

This activity can not be booked in advance. Please ask your Guide for more information!

Nestling at the foot of Kaunispää fell and partly located within the borders of Urho Kekkonen National Park, the village of Saariselkä is one of Finland’s most exotic and popular ski resorts. You can go downhill skiing/Telemarking or snowboarding on a choice of six slopes. The landscape is simply breathtaking! Timetravels students get discounted rates by mentioning our discount code at the entrance to the resort.

*Kindly note that extra activities can only be booked online up to 8 days before the departure. They cannot be cancelled or changed after the booking.

Preliminary trip program

Order of the activities may change in the final itinerary, You will receive a final itinerary prior 2-3 days the trip by email

DAY 2 THE KEMI SNOWCASTLE – SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE – ARRIVAL IN LAPLAND

01:45 Departure from Jyväskylä Matkakeskus06:30 Departure from Oulu bus station

08:00 Arrival in Kemi. Free time for shopping and breakfast in the Kemi City market.

10:00 Visiting the Kemi Snowcastle (approx. 1,5 hours)

11:30 Departure from Kemi Snowcastle to Rovaniemi

14:00 Visiting the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. In Santa Claus village you can take pictures with the SANTA, cross the magical Arctic circle, have lunch in one of the restaurants, buy souvenirs, send postcards from the Santa’s official post office and have a lunch (we recommend SHELL gas station across the street). Duration 2,5 h. Departure to Vasatokka at 16.30.

19:30 Arrival in Saariselkä, briefing and lodging in apartments. Free time for saunas etc. Hint! In the evening the best place to see Northern lights is the local mountain, from the top of it you can see 360 degree panorama all over. You can easily reach the mountain by foot from your cottage.

18:30 Departure for the Aurora Snowmobile Safari, Remember to take your credit card for deposit (only in the case of accident up to 900€). Duration 3 hours. Departure from meeting points at 18:30.

DAY 5 – TOUR OF THE ARCTIC OCEAN IN NORWAY*

06:45 Day trip to Norway. Departure from the cottages. Crossing the border to Norway. Near ocean coast we continue to village Bugoynes (60 min break, possibility to swim in the ocean). A soup lunch inclusive in a local cafeteria. Swim in the Arctic ocean! Back to Finland, last break in Näätämö village (shopping). 20:00 Arrival back to Saariselkä. Free time.23:00 Student Party in Tunturihotel (until 3.30). Free entrance, cloakroom 3 €.

DAY 6 – FREE TIME IN SAARISELKÄ + DEPARTURE HOME

10:45 Check-out. Free time for own activities, you can go shopping, dining, sledding, SPA, downhill skiing. No structured activities. Bus will stop at ski resort at 11.15 and at SPA 11.30. (You can leave your luggage at your bus)17:00 Departure from the meeting point for home journey. Gas station stop at 21.00 in Rovaniemi for 45 minutes.

We do not recommend to book connecting train, bus, ferry or flight tickets from Helsinki earlier than 13.30 since weather and road conditions may delay arrival.

* - EXTRA ACTIVITIES NOT INCLUDED IN THE BASIC TRIP PRICE

What is included

Package price includes

A round trip by bus to Rovaniemi & Saariselkä from chosen departure place

Accommodation in 3-14 person cabins with sauna 4 nights

Visit to the famous Kemi Snow Castle

Visit of the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi

Tour guide services in the destination

Package price does not include

Catering, meals, breakfasts

Bed linen (can be rented in Saariselkä for 15€/trip)

Extra activities as described in the itinerary (can be booked online until 7 days before departure)

Accommodation

Spend a week like a Finn! Your accommodation is arranged in comfortable apartments/cottages for 4 to 14 people, from 40m² to 300m². Although cottages may differ in size, plan, location and furniture, they are all at the same price level. All apartments/cottages are equipped with the following:

Fireplace

Own Sauna

Bathroom (larger cottages can have up to 3 bathrooms)

TV

Kitchen or kitchenette

Plates, mugs, glasses, knives, forks, etc.

Saucepans, frying pans, kettles and other cooking equipment

Fridge

Mattresses and pillows

Good to know

Q: ARE MEALS INCLUDED?

A: In order to keep trip prices as low as possible, all cottages are self-catering – breakfast, lunch and evening meals are not included. Each cabin has good cooking facilities, and groceries are no more expensive than in Southern Finland. Cooking in the cottages: There are basic kitchen facilities in cottage living rooms and dorms. Kitchens are equipped with plates, glasses, mugs, knives, 4-ring electric hob and fridge. Meals are not included, but we stop at Rovaniemi City Market to buy groceries. You can for instance decide with your cabin group what you are going to cook together and share the groceries and costs. There are no ovens in the cottages though, so don’t buy things like frozen pizzas, chicken, etc. Grocery shopping: We recommend you do all your shopping on the way to Lapland. Your groceries won’t freeze in the bus’s luggage compartment, unless the temperature drops to minus 35 C. In Kemi and Rovaniemi groceries can be way cheaper than in Southern Finland. In Inari there is also a SIWA and K-market but no Alko. If you’d like to by drinks, please do it in Rovaniemi. You can save a lot of money if you and your roommates decide to cook together.

Q: IS IT POSSIBLE TO TRAVEL BY TRAIN?

A: The night train option is convenient only if you can afford to book a sleeping compartment, which is quite expensive. Moreover, in our experience, travelling in a seat on the train is less comfortable and less convenient than travelling by overnight bus. That’s why it’s not possible to order a train ticket through us. However, if you really want the extra comfort of a sleeping compartment, you are free to book the train yourself at www.vr.fi and join the trip in Rovaniemi for example.

Q: WE ARE A GROUP OF 8 PEOPLE. CAN WE STAY IN THE SAME APARTMENT/COTTAGE? SHOULD WE BOOK THE TRIP TOGETHER?

A: About a week before departure, everyone who has signed up for the trip will receive an email containing a cabin sign-up document where you can choose the cabin you would like to stay in and the people you would like to share it with. If you don’t receive this email, check your spam folder, ask your friends to share it with you or contact our Customer Service Team. Please note that if you have one booking including several people, only the person who made the booking will receive the email!

Q: IS WI-FI AVAILABLE IN THE APARTMENTS AND COTTAGES?

The nearest Wi-Fi connection is in the SIULA building in Saariselkä, about 1.5 km from the cottages. You will also find free Wi-Fi in the pubs in the centre of Saariselkä and in the Holiday Club Spa Hotel. Please note that there is no Wi-Fi or Internet in the cabins!

Q: DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING WITH ME?

A: You should bring the following at least:

Warm clothes (clothes can also be rented for €12/set/day or €7/day for overall and boots only)

Bed linen set or sleeping bag + pillow case (if you do not have it with you, it must be rented from the reception for €15/trip).

Swim suit and towel (unless you want to do it the Finnish way)

Anything else you may need during the trip: cash, credit card, medicine, etc.

Student card for discounts

A small pillow or a special neck cushion for the bus trip

Flip flops for Arctic swimming and jumping in the snow after sauna.

Q: What if there is no snow?

A: The reason we use North Lapland as the location of our main destinations is that plenty of snow is virtually guaranteed from the beginning of November. However, we cannot control the weather. So, in the unlikely event that the snow is not deep enough for certain activities, we will offer an alternative or a full refund for its cancellation.

Q: WHY DO WE HAVE TO HAND IN OUR CREDIT CARDS AT THE START OF THE SNOW MOBILE SAFARI?

A: The company that organises the snowmobile safaris now requires participants to leave their credit card as a deposit. They kindly remind you that crashing a snowmobile into a tree is not only dangerous but also expensive and can result in the organizers having to pay a minimum of €850. If you follow your guide’s instructions and stick with the group, these accidents are easily avoided. The organizer will collect credit cards at the start of the activity and return them as soon as the tour is over.

Q: SHOULD I GO TO LAPLAND IN FALL OR SPRING SEMESTER?

A: Spring semester is of course more fun because there is more snow and more sunlight. Due to its popularity, the spring semester is slightly more expensive. If you have the choice, we recommend you travel in February, March or early April. During the fall semester there may be less snow. Additionally, the shorter periods of daylight impose certain restrictions on the schedule such as having to get up early in the morning.

Other information you might be looking for:

1. All mobile phones work normally in Lapland2. Cabins have all the kitchen equipment you need (knives, forks and plates) as well as other essentials such as toilet paper, soap and washing up liquid.3. You ONLY need to buy things you are going to eat, plus salt, sugar, spices, etc. And don’t buy anything (like frozen pizza) that needs to be cooked in an oven!4. The best place to shop is in Rovaniemi or Kemi (on the outward journey) – In Saariselkä there is also a K-market, Siwa and Alko for last minute shopping.5. If you opt out of a prepaid activity you are not entitled to a partial refund! You can, however, sell your place on certain activities to someone else on the tour.6. If anything goes wrong, immediately contact the Timetravels Tour Representative(s). They will do everything they possibly can to resolve the matter!7. We recommend you take a travel pillow with you for the overnight bus trip from Helsinki to Lapland.

Timetravels reserve the right to modify the program and adjust prices accordingly at any time. The itinerary is provisional. The final itinerary will be sent to you a few days before departure, as some activities are dependent on prevailing weather conditions.

Gallery

Images taken on Timetravels tours in Spring 2016 (click to view full gallery)